Bio & Incident Details

Lieutenant Varat succumbed to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever after contracting the disease when he was bitten by a tick. He was participating on a search and rescue training exercise in the Santa Susanna Mountains when he was bit.
Lieutenant Varata had been with the agency for 14 years.

Most Recent Reflection

Hi Hon:
It is with a heavy, heavy heart that I must tell you of the
unexpected and sudden death of our son, Michael, on May 28, 2016 in Yosemite National Park, of a massive heart attack. Michael, who was aged 7 when you died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, is now gone. He lays in the grave next to you at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo, at the wishes of our grandchildren, Jacob and Ashley, who wanted their father to be reunited with you in death. Please watch over our beloved
grandchildren. I love you and Michael beyond words, as is my grief. Barbara